The Portland Timbers have announced the re-signing of Brian Winters (a 2-year contract) and Scott Benedetti (1-year) along with newcomer Bayard Elfvin (1-year). [Note Bayard seems to come from old French meaning bay horse or red-brown hair...lets go with the latter hey? Bay hourse sounds too close to donkey for my liking!]

Winters and Benedetti join Gavin Wilkinson as players who have been with the team since the inaugural A-League season in 2001.

Elfvin, 23, played collegiate soccer at Ashland (OH) University, leaving the school as its all-time leader in shutouts (14) and goals-against average (1.23). Elfvin compiled a 31-12-2 record at Ashland and concluded his collegiate career in 2002 with 245 saves, second-best in school history.

13 players under contract including former Sounder midfielder Alex Bengard

Still unsure about Jake Sagare (at Halifax presently considering an offer to return) and Hugo Alcaraz (again waiting on an offer, but according to Hugo it's unlikely that he will return...a great shame!)

The Timbers have signed Bayard Elfin of Ashland (Ohio) University as a reserve keeper.

Still waiting on Fadi's knees!!

Mark Schuster, president of PFE, remains president of the Timbers, who receive "most of" their operating money from TIAA-CREF.

Timber games will be broadcast again this year on KKPZ (1330 AM) and that home games will be carried in Spanish on KRMZ (1330 AM).

Open tryouts on Saturday saw coach Bobby Howe whittle 44 players down to 17 who are attending an informal workout as we speak! Byron Alvarez, Lee Morrison, Jake Youngblood and goalkeeper Josh Saunders were also at the Park ahead of the official training camp that starts on April 1st.

Oregonian article this morning on Josh Saunders' choice to sign a 1-year contract and return to the Portland Timbers rather than sitting an MLS team's bench.

After returning to San Jose in September, Saunders got some brief playing time before the MLS playoffs, but he never left the bench as the Earthquakes won the championship.

An offer of being #3 for the Columbus Crew didn't cut it with an offer to return to Portland, where Josh impressed the Timber's faithful (always a difficult job apres Napoleon!).

Asked if PGE Park's problems concerned him:

"It does, but I have confidence in the city to work it out. There's nothing we can do, because we're not doing the business side. It's kind of out of our hands."

Other news from that article:

Numerous others are on the verge of signing, plus No. 1 draft choice Alan Gordon, a forward from Oregon State University, and midfielder Alex Bengard, a former Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders player.

Camp opens April 1: The Timbers open training camp at PGE Park next Thursday, but there will be informal workouts Monday through Wednesday

Forward Byron Alvarez became a father on March 14 when his wife, Kristen, gave birth to a 7-pound, 14-ounce daughter, Sorayah.

Among those not expected to return this season is defender Bryn Ritchie, who was talking retirement after knee surgery during the winter

Huge news for the Portland Timbers as it's announced that forward McKinley Tennyson has signed a 2-year deal with the Timbers. The uncertainty of the off-season has certainly been reduced with the signings of the team's "bookends", first keeper Josh Saunders and now Tennyson.

Tennyson, who has led the Timbers on points in the last 2 years, returns to PGE Park having scored 29 goals and holds the record for team points and shots taken.

"Having played in Portland for two years, I love the city and the stadium and it's great to work with people like Jim Taylor and Bobby Howe," said Tennyson.."The goal is to win a championship, and having won one at UCLA and with the (Los Angeles) Galaxy, I want to share that with some of the younger guys on the team."

In his 2002 rookie season, Tennyson led the A-League in scoring with 42 points on 18 goals and six assists. He was named to the A-League's First Team by its coaches and was the first to receive a newly created award given to the top offensive player in the A-League age 23 or younger.

Timbers keeper Josh Saunders has signed a 1-year contract that will see him playing for the Portland Timbers through the 2004 season.

"I'm thrilled that we're going have Josh Saunders back in goal this season," said Timbers general manager Jim Taylor. "I thought given the circumstances of being forced into the starting roll, that Josh, as a first-year player, handled himself very well and showed why he is one of the up and coming goalkeepers in this league."

A good sign that despite the ongoing ownership uncertainties, the Timbers continue to be able to attract (back) top talent to the Rose City.

Single game tickets for Portland Timbers (and Beavers) games will go on sale at 10am on March 27th. Ticket prices for Timbers games range from $9 - $16 this year, with the limited Fred Meyer Family Section price being $4.75.

Tickets will be available from the PGE Park box office, Ticketmaster outlets and some GI Joes and Fred Meyer stores.

Also word has it that Timbers tryouts/pre-season training will start on the same date although no official announcement has been made.